England to make training change

17 June 2012 11:17

England will not be able to train at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Monday ahead of their Euro 2012 clash with co-hosts Ukraine.

Although the pitch recovered sufficiently from a violent thunderstorm for France to complete their win over Ukraine on Friday, there has been some damage.

And UEFA have asked England not to hold a pre-match session on the pitch as scheduled. Instead, they will train at their HQ in Krakow before flying into Donetsk, where Roy Hodgson and skipper Steven Gerrard will conduct their normal press conference.

It is also anticipated the England players will embark on a walk-round of the stadium, even though it is only seven days previously that they played there.

France's game against Ukraine on Friday was held up for an hour after a massive thunderstorm.

With water lying on the pitch, it was not anticipated that the game would restart.

However, with obvious scheduling and TV broadcast problems, UEFA opted to recommence the game, with France eventually emerging 2-0 winners.

In addition to that final group game, a quarter-final and semi-final will also be held in the stadium, both of which could also involve England.

Source: PA